The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-01-27
PETE'S HOSS.

"Yank'sa a comm. pap" and Toby
waved long, lank arm toward the tall,
blue hills. round which wound the vel
low mountain road. where the shallow
stream. known as ..Pottses Fork" cross
ed and recrossed like the unwinding OF
q giant snake.
Mr.. Potts shook his head portentous-
ly. stroking his matted gray beard with
fingers yellowed and hardened by years
of unremitting toll.
oval, / dom reckin thars anything
fur 'em to take; mos everything's done
ben ct up by the boys that stopped
hyar last" Potts paused abruptly.
troubled by sudden thought; Toby
sidled up to the old man, muttering al
most inaudibly:
"Pete's boss. pap! yer dom think
they'd take Rod'rick. do ye?"
They sharn't! not if hev ter lose
every drap O. my blood. they sharn' t
take thet hossm cried the old man vehe-
mently.
"Mebbe they cyarn't find him. pap
-Roxy's TUX him ter the mountin'
getherin' sumac, an eft she don't come
out too soon they'll never know nothln'
bout it, said Toby, reassuringly.
The soldiers were now in full sight,
their bayonets glitlering in the sun,
their blue coats darkening the yellow
road and frightening the sombre pines,
and the thud of their travel-worn feet
beat like distant drum.
As clouds of dust rise up at their ap-
preaching footsteps swaying girlish
form is coming down the mountain,
singing an old sweet hymn of freedom;
in her arms are branches of sumac turn
ing brown. and yellow. and scarlet in
the mellow autumn sun; at her side a
slender dark bay horse, sleek and
glossy as the pride of an Arabs heart.
follows closely, unresisting the bride
swung carelessly over her wrist. Toby's
heart jumps in his throat and all the
color fades from his face, leaving it
quite white, save the tan-colored freck-
les that cover his thin cheeks.
The father and son wave their hands
in unintelligible slgus-Roxy looks and
listens, and. suddenly understanding,
springs back into the neighboring
thicket Too late! one of the blue coats
espies her and leaps nimbiy after her.
Roxy is crouching close in the shad-
ow of bending pine-tree and Roder-
ick's eyes shine like stars behind his
green prison. "a fine horse and finer
grip shouts the soldier, grasping
Roxy's plump arm.
LET me gor' she Screams; 'let me
60. l say!'
The others, laughing and shouting.
scramble up the rocky bank. eager for
aA
reluctant girl from her hiding-place.
and one boldly seizes Rorierick's bride.
The brave horse plants his delicate
hoofs in the mans chest and sends HIM
rolling down the hill. others rush at
him. and, painting W tn rage and fright,
he tries in vain to dash past them. but
they are too many for him. and while
some, more cowardly than the rest. look
from behind the trees at this strange
battle, others surround him on all sides,
and he stands trembling with excite
ment and pain as they fasten the bit
firmly on his sensitive mouth.
Soldiers. you darn't take the hoss!'
cries Abraham Potts, quiver of en-
treaty in his voice.
That war my Pete's hoss-he raised
him from colt and never lowed no
body to tech him but hisself! 0, no,
soldiers, take anything I've got, but
don't tech that hoss!'
If he's Peters horse let him take
care of him now," laughed the soldier,
carelessly, as he tightens his grip or
the bride.
Roxy had thrown one arm round the
fathers bent form, and stood shelter
the Federals Now Abe Potts bent for
ward, drawing himself away from his
daughters clinging grasp.
"Pete's done dead. men," mutteret
the old man in Il hoarse. choked voice
..he's lawn. now back thar benin the
house. with the weepin' willer he plant
ed a-shadin' his grave. Rod'rick tina
brung i'm home ter die!" he gaspe,
brokenly. Soldiers, he wuz all he'd
NV Pete-so brave, and sich a fine tig
ger; when he rid away with the Var
ginny Grays. my heart swelled till i
wuz nigh Dustin; but gin him to IN.
country, an thet's all thet is left O hin
tibet there hoss" Old Potts sighed
then went on with an effort.
.'One evenin' we hyard hosses' hoof>
an we knowed it war Rod 'rick-he cur
in ther night-an' when l he'll out tn
light to make shore twas him l neye
seed nothin' at fust but Rod'rick. hi
AYES a-shinin' like Goals of fire. Purt
so on l seed somethin' tied across hi
haek-it wor my Pete! o. soldiers. yo
sent my boy back home to die with
ballet through his breast!' and the oil
,suau threw out his arms wildly; the
turned and hid his face on Roxy
shoulder.
Not q man but felt that simple stor
touch his heart. aud Toby's big brow
/, ewes were wet with unshed tears.
The boy was clinging close to hl
father now.
! ..Say, pap. amt yer done got meP
he whispered. wistfully.
No. don't want yer" cried the fatt
er bitterly. They've TUX my Pete, al
what air you in his placer" So tn
child shrank, trembling and repulseG
down by the bundle of withering suma'
The soldiers were going away quietly
leaving the old man in peace. Whe
afar up the mountain road they discern
ed men in gray fastening in their d
rection.
Boys" cried one as he sprang O
Roderick's back. 1--WE might as we
J have this horse - those 'RshsG Y!